The Lakers lost out on the Chris Paul sweepstakes due to David Stern’s infamous veto. However, the Lakers are a prime player in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes. As a matter of fact, ESPN’ s Ric Bucher has attributed Kobe’s recent barrage of 40 point games as a recruiting measure to convince Dwight Howard that he hasn’t lost his step. However, some questions remain: What will the Laker’s identity be under Mike Brown? Furthermore, can they compensate for the losses of Shannon Brown to free agency and Lamar Odom via trade?

Shannon Brown provided instant offense and depth in the Laker’s backcourt over the past few years. Considering that he did not see the floor when he was originally under Mike Brown in Cleveland,it probably made his decision to seek refuge elsewhere that much easier. Veteran point guard and NBA union representative Derek Fisher continue to share the backcourt with Kobe. Steve Blake is currently on the shelf for 3-4 weeks with an injury to his ribs. Thus, rookie Darius Morris will have a chance to earn his stripe as a fixture in the Lakers backcourt. As it stands, the Lakers have more questions than answers at the PG position.

The loss of Lamar Odom will be far more difficult for the Lakers to replace. Lamar Odom brought size, versatility and weak-side rebounding and could play both the small and power-forward position. There is some upside to the versatility of Josh Mcroberts. However, Jason Kapono and Troy Murphy certainly will not fill that void.

There is a shortage of World Peace. Metta World Peace, that is. Up to this point, Ron Artest has averaged less than 6 points and 2 rebounds. The former Dancing in the Stars contestant needs a pep talk from Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli.

The major strength of this team continues to be the imposing frontcourt duo of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Of course, one has to wonder about the morale and the motivation of Andrew Bynum with the ongoing trade rumors concerning Dwight Howard. Dwight Howard is facing those same questions in Orlando. Considering that Andrew Bynum is injury-prone and that Pau Gasol isn’t getting any younger, I would trade Dwight Howard for both Bynum and Gasol. After all, one rarely hears Dwight Howard’s name on the injured list.

Finally, there’s head coach Mike Brown. Mike Brown is a great defensive mind, but is no offensive genius. In Cleveland, he was not able to set up a potent offensive system around Lebron James. To his defense, he was not given much help by Cavs GM Danny Ferry and Cavs owner Dan Gilbert. One can easily have doubts that the Lakers offense will operate with the same efficiency under his tutelage then it did under the Zen-Master.

The common denominator is Kobe Bryant. As long as he continues to play at a high-level and provides the leadership on and off the court, the Lakers will always be considered a contender. There is no question about that.

But there are many questions: The issues at the PG position, the motivation of Bynum, new pieces such as Kapono, Murphy, Mcroberts and new head coach Mike Brown and his effectiveness on the offensive end. I can safely assume he’ll shore up the Lakers D.
Of course, the biggest question is this.

The NBA as with any professional league goes through changes from one year to another. The reason for most changes is to adapt to how the game is played. The first rule changes didn’t start until 1946-1947 when the NBA decided on eliminating zone defenses. Let’s go down the evaluation of the rest of the NBA’s rules.
In the 1947-48 Campaign players went from 5 fouls to 6 fouls before fouling out and the team size went from 12 to 10.
1951-52
The Lane was changed from six feet to 12 feet wide because of the dominance of the sports first big man George Mikan.
1952-53
Rule changed that if a jump ball is to take place it is between the man who fouled him and the one who is guarding him.
1954-55
24 Second Shot Clock is implemented. Penalty Free Throws added after a sixth foul in the quarter.
1964-65
Wilt Chamberlain the next dominate big man leads to the lane being widened from 12 to 16 feet.
1966-67
Foul limit dropped to five per quarter and only one penalty in the last two minutes. The three second violation in the paint was added.
1972-73
Errors in fourth period or overtime can only be corrected before the period is over. Players no longer are restricted from the lane during free throws. No foul shots except for shooting fouls until the team are in the penalty.
1974-75
Timeouts as time expire will not be granted. Force Out is determined and offensive keeps the ball.
1975-76
Any playing court violation the ball is taken in from the sideline.
1976-77
Any player in a fight is fined $10,000 and is suspended. Force Out rule is eliminated. Possession rules for quarters are made. Loser of tip inbounds from underneath their goal in second and third while winner inbounds in fourth.
1977-78
24 second clock reset after all violations. In last two minutes if team takes a timeout before advancing the ball on a change of possession they can move the ball to midcourt. All protests must be in the commissioner’s office within 48 hours.
1979-80
Technical foul placed on team for illegal defense. Three point feel goal added.
1980-81
Three point field goal becomes permanent. Jewelry outlawed during game.
1981-82
Zone Rules Changed. Players must check in at scores table before entering game.
1983-84
Jump ball locations changed.
1984-85
Clear Path implemented. If player is blocked on a clear bath to score by a foul two free throws and the ball is awarded to his team.
1991-92
If bleeding is spotted the game stops to stop the wound.
1992-93.
24 Second only resets on hitting the rim not the backboard.
1994-95
Shortened the three point line.
1997-98
Three point line moved back to original distance. No Charge Area Added.
2001-02
Illegal Defense removed. Defensive three second rule added. The time to pass midcourt changed from 10 seconds to 8.
2002-03
Instant replay allowed for last second plays.

Regardless of whether Michael Jordan is the best player of all time, you have to argue that his career was a benchmark for many of today’s players. And now that Kobe Bryant is considered, arguably, the best player in the league, the question has to be asked: do his achievements exceed what Jordan did? Well, in at least four instances they do:

5. More All Star MVP Awards
While Jordan was always a sight to behold at an All Star Game, Bryant has passed him in terms of All Star MVP Awards. Michael won three All Star MVP Awards in his career (1988, 1996, 1998), while Bryant currently has won four (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011)

4. More points in one game
For all of his big single games (five games with over 60 points), Jordan never had a night like Kobe had on January 22, 2006 against the Toronto Raptors. With 81 points, Kobe had the second most points all time, only behind Wilt Chamberlin’s legendary 100 point game.

3. More All NBA Selections
In his fourteen seasons, Bryant has been selected to an All NBA Team more times then Jordan has in his entire career. Jordan was selected to a team 11 times (10 time First Team, one time Second Team), while Bryant has been selected 12 times (eight time First Team, two time Second Team, two time Third Team).

2. Most points scored at Madison Square Garden
It may not seem like a big deal, but a lot is made about having a big game under the bright lights of MSG. Michael Jordan has had a number of extremely memorable games in New York. Who can forget the one where he lit up the Knicks while having the flu? It may surprise you, though, to learn that Kobe holds the records for the most points in a single game at MSG. In a February 2009 game, Bryant put in 61 in a Lakers victory. Jordan was never able to do that.

1. More NBA finals appearances
All right, at this point in his career Jordan had won more championships than Bryant has (though he can tie Michael’s mark this season), but Bryant has seven appearances to Jordan’s six, with Bryant winning five and losing two. And before you bring up the Shaq thing, it’s not like Jordan had nobody’s around him in Chicago when he won his six.